Ridiculed,
and for what?
Because I have talent
in my brown skin?
or is it because I am confident
in my brown skin?
I set trends
with my brown skin.
And this brown skin, as smooth as honey
curves and hugs my flesh,
clings to my every move,
speaks when I have said nothing.
Does my brown skin offend you?
or does it just
intimidate you?
Because I stride
in my brown skin.
I don't hide
in my brown skin
because my brown skin is my testimony.
The hardships I've endured
and the pain I've suppressed
was all worth it, because
I take pride
in my brown skin.
So when we cross paths,
please respect my brown skin.
Because the pages within me are
greater than my cover.
Andreanna Atkins
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-darker-the-skin-the-deeper-the-roots/
